Polymerase chain reaction: Transforming theory into clinical practice

The transition from basic science to clinical diagnostics heralded the birth of a new discipline: molecular diagnostics, Our understanding of the genetic basis of cancer and inherited disease, as well as the molecular structure of infectious agents, has just begun to deliver its impact on medical care through new methods to better diagnose and treat disease, Of all the recent technological developments in clinical molecular diagnostics, none have had as great an impact on the medical community as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), PCR testing can provide an expanded menu of cutting-edge tests meeting the needs of clinicians in the emerging era of molecular medicine, Therefore, many laboratorians are seeking mechanisms to provide this level of testing to their physician clients, In the current health care environment with all laboratories focused on issues of cost containment, the question emerges whether this new endeavor in complex molecular testing can achieve financial feasibility, This article will explore the many variables that need to be addressed, It presents a project plan that can be used by the laboratory as it contemplates this new venture in laboratory testing.